Underpressure gets back to winning ways in Evangeline Downs Classic

Underpressure returned to the win column Saturday night in Louisiana when he drove to a 1 1/2-length win over Just Stormin in the $75,000 Evangeline Downs Classic. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Mageez in third.

The Evangeline Classic was a one-mile race was for 3-year-olds and up bred in Louisiana.

Underpressure ($10.40) was content to stalk Just Stormin through fractions of 24.77 for the opening quarter, 49.40 for the half-mile and 1:14.16 for six furlongs. In the stretch, the eventual winner moved past that rival and in the later stages drifted in while covering the distance on a fast track in 1:38.39.

Following the race there was both a stewards' inquiry and jockey's objection by the rider of Just Stormin. It concerned the stretch run, it was announced, and there was no change made to the order of finish.

Gerard Melancon rode Underpressure for trainer Chris Richard.

Underpressure was rebounding from a rare off-the-board finish, a sixth-place effort in the $60,000 Star Guitar on March 24 at Fair Grounds. He was winning for the 10th time in his career Saturday night and picking up his fifth stakes win in the Evangeline Classic.

Underpressure is a son of Birdstone who races for Mallory Greiner. He was bred by Jim McIngvale and has now earned $550,632.